Firstly, for reasons of improving basic hygiene. In 2012 heavy rains caused flooding in Sierra Leone that washed out the simple latrines, and meant a cholera outbreak that made 25,000 people ill.

Trachoma is a disease that causes blindness, and is carried by a fly that breeds exclusively on human excrement. Toilets for everyone would mean less blindness, to the tune of 1.2 million fewer blind people.

If there are no toilets, this means doing one’s business outside. Women need to travel a fair way to relieve themselves, and put them at risk of sexual violence. More toilets, safer women.

Can you imagine being a teenage girl with no private restrooms at your school? Not likely. Private toilets increase female school attendance.

And if you’re interested in knowing what this has to do with Bill and Melinda Gates, or for an article with links to many of the issues listed above, click here